Jay Simpson’s expertise on MLS is limited, borne of growing but still niche viewing opportunities an ocean away.

But Simpson had seen enough game action and heard accounts of successful Brits on American shores to know what to look for when the Philadelphia Union approached. And when Union technical director Chris Albright visited him and laid out the vision the club had for the 28-year-old striker, he was sold.

“The passion that (Albright) had for the project with the club and the desire of what they wanted to achieve, it really appealed to me,” Simpson said via a conference call Monday. “They brought me over to see the facilities and the city, and I love it. I wanted to come over and was grateful for the opportunity.”

The English striker fills the most visible void from the Union’s 2016 season, providing a viable option to the misfiring CJ Sapong. Finally arriving at the Union’s training base in Clearwater, Fla., last Friday, Simpson, who was signed Jan. 9, is already hard at work.

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The 5-foot-11 target man has a decade in England to his name (plus one season in Thailand). He’s played at a variety of levels after emerging from the Arsenal youth system and was most prolific for Leyton Orient in League Two, the fourth tier of the English pyramid.

Two weeks ago, in assessing his new signing, Union sporting director Earnie Stewart asserted that League Two’s physicality and directness prepared the speedy Simpson for MLS. Simpson concurred on the basis of games he’d seen.

“In England, it’s very physical and direct,” Simpson said. “In Leagues Two, the majority of clubs … try to go forward fast. They say, ‘you’ve got to win the battle before you can play.’ It’s very physical.

“Looking at MLS, it’s exciting to come over here because I think here they try to keep the ball on the ground, and the games I’ve watched, it’s very tactical and good technique, so I’m excited to get started over here.”

Soccer in the former colonies has seen its profile rise in England thanks to late-career matriculations of stars like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham. Simpson also elicited feedback on the ancillary factors, like climate and travel, from English-born Jamaican international Jobi McAnuff, with whom Simpson played at Leyton Orient.

With those foundational assumptions in place, a tour of the facilities in Chester won Simpson over.

Simpson expressed gratitude for a welcoming locker room on his arrival, and he said he’s already gotten familiar with many teammates in an “impressive” group.

Tactically, Simpson understands the Union’s style of play. He’s played extensively as a lone striker in England, and he offers flexibility as a depth option on the wings. “Most of my career, I played one up front as a striker,” Simpson said. “I’ve played with two (strikers), in the (No.) 10, left wing, right wing. So coming in, when I spoke to Chris on the phone, he explained the formation, how they like to play 4-2-3-1 and told me what they expect from a striker up front. In regards to formation, I’m ready to play in any system that benefits the team.”

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The Union added another attacking piece with the signing of rookie Marcus Epps Monday.

The 25th overall pick in the 2017 SuperDraft has impressed in training, so much so that the 6-foot, 155-pound native of Jackson, Miss., earned a roster spot in an area of depth for the club.

The Union traded up to select Epps out of the University of South Florida, attracted by his blend of size and speed.

Epps is the 27th player under contract for the Union in 2017 and 25th field player. That’s presumably all they will carry, with the 28th and final roster spot reserved for a third goalkeeper (a necessity given Andre Blake’s frequent departures for international duty with Jamaica). Any other signing, such as cinching a deal for trialist attacking midfielder Adam Najem, would require a corresponding departure. The Union have until March 1 to be in compliance with MLS roster rules.